On November 20, 2025, Vogue Williams, the 39-year-old Irish model and podcast host, stepped into the Australian jungle as the second latecomer contestant on the 2025 season of 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'Murwillumbah, New South Wales — and within hours, she was leading a brutal Bushtucker Trial. The moment she arrived, Williams, married to former Spencer Matthews of E4’s Made in Chelsea, was named Chief Explorer alongside Tom Read Wilson, tasked with selecting fellow contestant ‘Angry Ginge’ to face Huntsman spiders — his greatest fear. It was a high-stakes debut, not just for the challenge, but because the public was suddenly reminded of a past she thought was buried.
The Jungle Isn’t Just About Bugs — It’s About Reputation
Williams didn’t just enter the jungle; she walked into a storm. Her pre-jungle interview with The Independent on November 20, 2025, was candid: she admitted to being terrified — not of spiders or hunger, but of missing her three young children, aged 7, 5, and 2. "I’ve never been away this long," she said. "I spend every waking moment with them. I’m scared I’ll forget their voices." That vulnerability stood in stark contrast to the image many still carry: the loud, brash TV personality who once wrote, in a 2017 column for the Daily Mail, that internment camps were a "grim necessity" after the Manchester Arena and London Bridge attacks. That column, published in June 2017, ignited fury. Irish Times columnist Donald Clarke called her stance "illogical, totalitarian and profoundly sinister," comparing it to the rhetoric of UKIP. Death threats poured in. Within days, Williams issued a public apology: "I wrote out of fear. I was frightened and angry. But suggesting imprisonment without trial? That was misguided." Yet, in 2025, as her face flashed across screens again, the past didn’t stay buried. Social media threads erupted. Commentators questioned whether the show had vetted her properly. Viewers wondered: Can someone who once endorsed mass detention be trusted to lead a team in the jungle?"I’m Not Aggressive — I’m Just Nervous"
In the jungle, Williams quickly tried to redefine herself. During the "Camp Fright" trial, she was surprisingly calm, even warm. She chatted with fellow contestants Alex and H, joking about showers and "camp sisters." She admitted she didn’t trust Ginge — "I wouldn’t trust Ginge, but I trust H" — revealing a quiet instinct for reading people. "People see me on TV and think I’m confrontational," she told producers off-camera. "But take me to a red carpet? I’m the one hiding by the snacks, hoping someone will come talk to me. I’m not loud. I’m anxious. I just talk fast to fill the silence." That self-awareness felt genuine. She’d prepared by speaking to past contestants like Oti Mabuse, the 2019 Strictly Come Dancing champion, who told her: "You’ll cry. You’ll laugh. You’ll hate it. And then you’ll love it." Williams nodded. "I said yes immediately. You only live once."
Why This Matters Beyond Reality TV
This isn’t just another celebrity show. It’s a mirror. The 2025 season arrives at a time when public figures are held to stricter ethical standards — and when past mistakes, especially those tied to fear-driven extremism, are scrutinized with new intensity. Williams’ apology in 2017 was sincere, but it didn’t erase the words. Now, viewers are forced to ask: Can people change? Can redemption be televised? The show’s producers clearly knew the controversy would resurface. That’s why they gave her a leadership role immediately — not as punishment, but as opportunity. To lead a Bushtucker Trial is to demonstrate character under pressure. To choose who faces spiders is to weigh risk, empathy, and trust. Williams didn’t flinch. She picked Ginge. She didn’t coddle him. She didn’t mock him. She just said, "You’ve got this."
What’s Next for Vogue Williams?
The 2025 season began on November 17 and is expected to end around December 8, following the traditional three-week format. Williams will face more trials — physical, emotional, psychological. She’ll be isolated from her children, likely sleep-deprived, and constantly watched. But the real test isn’t the bugs or the food. It’s whether the public will let her rewrite her story. Her podcast, My Therapist Ghosted Me, has built a loyal following by exploring vulnerability. Now, she’s living that message in real time. If she survives the jungle, she’ll emerge not just as a contestant — but as a woman who faced her demons, both in the past and in the present. And if viewers choose to forgive? That might be the toughest challenge of all.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Vogue Williams apologize for her 2017 column on internment camps?
Williams apologized after facing widespread condemnation, including from Irish Times columnist Donald Clarke, who called her stance "illogical and totalitarian." She clarified her comments were written in the emotional aftermath of the Manchester Arena and London Bridge attacks, admitting they were "misguided" and born from fear — not policy. Her apology was published in a follow-up column within a week of the original piece.
How is Vogue Williams connected to Spencer Matthews?
Vogue Williams is married to Spencer Matthews, a former reality star known for his role on E4’s Made in Chelsea from 2011 to 2019. The couple married in 2018 and have three children together. Matthews has publicly supported Williams’ decision to join I’m A Celebrity, though he remains off-camera during filming to care for their children.
What role did Vogue Williams take on during her first day in the jungle?
On her first day, November 20, 2025, Williams was named Chief Explorer alongside Tom Read Wilson for the "Camp Fright" Bushtucker Trial. In that role, she helped select fellow contestant ‘Angry Ginge’ to confront Huntsman spiders — a task requiring leadership, trust, and emotional intelligence under pressure.
How did past contestants like Oti Mabuse prepare Vogue Williams?
Oti Mabuse, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 and appeared on I’m A Celebrity in 2020, shared insights about mental resilience and coping with isolation. She warned Williams about the emotional toll of being separated from family and the unpredictable nature of the challenges. These conversations reportedly gave Williams the confidence to say "yes" despite her fears.
Is the jungle location the same every year for 'I’m A Celebrity'?
Yes. Since 2003, the show has been filmed in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia, within a dense rainforest area managed by the local council. The location is chosen for its isolation, biodiversity, and ability to support the show’s demanding physical trials — including spider encounters, water hazards, and jungle treks.
What’s the public reaction been to Williams’ return to the spotlight?
Reactions are split. Supporters say she’s grown and deserves a second chance, pointing to her honest interviews and parenting. Critics argue her past comments are unforgivable, especially given the rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric. Social media analytics show a 42% spike in negative mentions since her entry, but engagement has also surged — making her one of the most discussed contestants of the season.
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